Means for suspending aerial cables



Fb.1s, 1941.

E. ST. JQHN mms Fon sUsPENDING AERIAL cunas Filed May 19, 1959 Santis-sheet `1 Feb. 18, 1941. y E. sT. JoHN 2,231,962

ums von susrnnmue AERIAL. suus' Filed Mails, 193s 4 shuts-sunt 2 J; 212km@ ATTORNEY Feb. 18, 1941. E. s'r. JOHN 2,231,962

Inns Fon sUsPENDING Amun cMs Filed may 19, 1939 1 4 shuts-'shut s F/G.7 K a8 r 56 A .3.937 53 54 so 52 f Feb. 18, 1941. s'r. Jol-IN EMS FOR SUSPENDING AERIAL CABLES Filed nay 19, 1.939 l 4 Smets-Sheet 4 8c3.) lac ATTORNE Y Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS ron sUsPENDmG AERIAL CABLES EverettSt. John, Westport, Conn., -assignor to Bell Telephone laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application Mar 19, 193s, sensi No. 274,473 s claims. (o1. 11s-31s) This invention relates to the installation of aerial cable and more particularly to a machine for securing an aerial cable to a messenger or supporting strand.

It is the object of this invention to provide a device for securing an aerial c able to a supporting strand in such a manner that there will be a minimum amount of movement therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a single unitary structure, means for holding the supporting strand and cable in close relation and serving a wire therearound to bind them snugly together. Y

A further object of this invention is the provision of a machine for securing together an aerial cable and a supporting strand which may be applied and removed from the strand and cable with a minimum amount of effort.

A still further object of this invention is the provision, in a machine for binding together a cable and a supporting strand, of a magazine for storing a preformed coil of wire.

A still further object of this invention is the provision in a machine fori lashing cable to a strand, of means for applying a predetermined amount of tension to the lashing wire as it leaves the magazine.

The machine of this invention is an improvement upon the machine which forms the subject i of Patent No. 2,153,072 to A. C. Bookout et al. dated April 4, 1939.

In the present standard method of supporting aerial cables from supporting strands, in which the cable is hung from the messenger or supporting stl'andby means of cable rings or the like, said rings are rigidly secured to the strand and the cable hangs loosely therefrom and is spaced some distance below the supporting stiand.

While the above method of supporting aerial cable has had awideusage it has, nevertheless, some serious disadvantages. For example, the cable is subjected to considerable damage `due to the creeping and buckling, which movement causes crystallization of the sheath, ring cuts and other damage. Furthermore, due to the excess movement between the cable and the strand, chang and dancing results which causes serious damage to the cable sheath.

All damages -to aerial cable are expensive to repair and resultin a loss of revenue due to the interruption of service.

Having in mind the shortcomings of thev method of supporting aerial cable by means of rings, I have devised an improved machine for securing aerial cable to a messenger or supporting strand which contemplates the use of a machine which lashes a wire tightly around both the supporting strand and the cable as it proceeds along the cable, thereby eliminating the 5 use of cable rings and the faults ascribed thereto.

The preferred form of my invention comprises a main body portion which forms'the forward part of the machine and a revolving spinning head located toward the rear thereof. The main body portion contains the gear mechanism for the operation of the machine and the spinning head contains a magazine which accommodates a preformed coil of wire which, as it revolves, is lashed around both the cable and the strand, thereby securing them together in such a manner that there is little or no movement there-- between. y

The features of my invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a'view in perspective of the machine of this invention in position on a fragment of I strand and cable in the process of lashing the wire therearound and an adjacent cable previously lashed to a supporting strand by said machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine in Fig. 1 with parts of the housing broken away to show the operating mechanism for rotating the spinning head:

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figs l and 2 with parts of the housing broken away;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow, with the spinning head in its normal or, upright position;

Fig.\5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 except that the spinning head has been rotated slightly; v

Fig. 6 is a front elevation ofthe main body portion or the front end of the machine;

Fig. 7 is an venlarged sectional view of the spinning head taken on a line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the gear mechanlsrn for driving the spinning head taken on line 8-8 of Fis. 9; v

Fig. 9 is an end View of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figli) is a view similar to Fig. 9 except that parts have been broken away to expose the segmental ring gears, the driving pinionand the idler pinion; i

Fig. 1l is a" perspective view o f the preformed coil of wire which ls stored in the magazine of the machine:

Fig. l2 is a view. in perspective ot a tool for clamping the lashing wire to the supporting strand to prevent it from unwinding when the lashing wire is out to permit the removal of the machine;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view oi' the roller mechanism for supporting the cable;

Fig. 14is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13 and illustrates the arrangement for looking this mechanism in position:

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 7 except that no parts have been broken awayand that a modiiied form of brake mechanism is employed; and

Fig. 16 shows two cables lashed to a single supporting strand.

As shown in the drawings, the machine of this invention comprises two major portions I0 and II, the portion III constituting the spinning head or rotating member and the main body portion llhousi'ng the mechanism for causing the head I0 and its component parts to rotate as the machine advances along the cable I2 and strand I3 as it is pulled along by means of the line I4 which is secured to the front end of the housing II by suitable link members I5 and I6.

In order that the machine may be readily placed over the cable and strand, the bottom portion of the spinning head I5 and the main body I I are cut away. The ring gears I1 and I3. which form the driving means for the spinning head I0, also have a portion cut away to permit them to encircle the strand I3.and the cable I2 as shown in Fig. 9.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 there is positioned in the main housing or body portion II an axle I9. This axle is journaled in the bearing 25. Located on the inner end of the axle I3 is a grooved pulley 2| which frictionally engages the messenger or supporting strand I3 when the machine is in operative position. 'I'he pulley 2i comprises two metallic flanges or plates 22 and 23 between which is secured a grooved member 24 made from tough rubber or some other similar material which will firmly grip the strand I3 and -yet not wear unduly. The ilanges 22 and 23 are secured to the grooved member 24 by means of the bolts 25 which cause the anges to firmly embrace this member and prevent distortion. The other end of the axle I9 extends a short distance beyond the housing I I and is provided with a sprocket wheel 21 to which is attached a link chain 28 which in turn is connected to a small sprocket wheel 29. The sprocket 29 is journaled on the cylindrical member 35 and has mounted thereon the driving pinion gear 3c. Therefore, any motion imparted to the pulley 2I will cause, through the sprocket 21, the link chain 23 and the small sprocket 29, the rotation of the pinion 35, and due to the fact that the sprocket wheel 21 is larger than the sprocket 29 the rotation of the pinion 30 will be multiplied. A cover 3l is provided over the sprockets 21 and 23 and the chain 23 to prevent injury and to exclude dirt The spinning head III is rotatably mounted to the rear of the main body portion II and is fastened to the slotted flange 23 bythe screws 32. The flange 25 is secured to the slotted ring gear I1. 'I'he ring gear I1 has as its bearing a grooved guide member 33 which is secured around the periphery o! the slotted cylindrical member 35 by means of the screws 34, said cylindrical member 35 being spaced away from and supported inside aasneea the housing II by means of the posts 31 and the screws 38. The slotted ring gear I3 is mounted in a similar guide member 33 located on the opposite end of the member 35 which is secured thereto by means of the screws 40. Journaled on the periphery of the member 35 -between the inner wall of the housing II and' the outer surface of member 35 is the driving pinion 3l and the idler pinion 35, the `driving pinion 30 and the idler pinion 35 being in mesh with the ring gears I1 and I8. These pinions are so positioned, with respect to the slotted ring gears I1 and I8, that at all times the driving pinion 30 will transmit power to the spinning head I0 and the rotation thereof will be continuous without interruption due to the fact that when the gear I1 is out of mesh with the driving pinion 30, due to the slot in this gear, the power is transmitted from the driving pinion 30 through the ring gear I8 to the idler pinion 35 and gear I1 which is secured to the spinning head I0. During those periods when the driving pinion 30 is in mesh with the gear I1 the drive will be directly through these two gears and the idler pinion 35 and the ring gear I8 merely idle. r

Located on the spinning head I0, toward the rear thereof, is a magazine 4I for storing the preformed coil of wire` 42, as shown in Fig. 11. 'As shown in Fig. '1 this coll of wire is positioned on the rotatable spool or reel 43 which is provided with a ilange 44 on its bottom portion. This is to permit the coil of wire to be readily slipped over the hub member of the reel. The reel 43 is mounted on the spindle 45 which is in turn secured to the spinning heads-III by means of the nut 46. A cover 41 forming the upper ilange is provided to maintain the coil of ywire in place and is secured in position by means of the wing bolt 43 which engages the upper end of the reel 43. A window or opening 49 is provided in the side of the magazine 4I toward the rear thereof to permit the wire 5I), which forms the coil 42, to leave the magazine and be wrapped around the cable I2 and strand I3 which will hereinafter be described in detail.

In order to provide back tension on the wire 50 to prevent loosening thereof means are provided for braking the Wire as zine 4I.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 the braking device comprises a base plate 5Iy having rotatably mounted thereon the pulleys 52, 53 and 54 over which the wire 5I! passes before it is wrapped around the strand I3 and cable I2. The base plate 5Iy is pivotally mounted, adjacent the window 49, on the bracket 55 by means of the nut it leaves the magaand bolt 55 and 51. The bracket 55 is seoul'edtoV *out beyond the end of said housing. Rigidly secured to the free end of the bracket 6I) by means of the bolts and nuts 53and 54 and extending downwardly in alignment with the pulley 2| is the J-shaped bracket 55. Secured on the side of the housing II adjacent the bracket 50 by means of the screws 55 is the arm 51 which has located in an aperture in the free end thereof and extend? ing between the arm and the bracket 85 a slotted tubular member 88. This tubular member is rigidly secured to both the arm 81 and the bracket 85 and serves as a guide for the sliding bolt 88 which is arranged to form a closure for the curved portion of the bracket 85 toprevent the dislodgement ofthe strand I3. Due to the pin and the notches 1I and 12 this bolt may be locked in either an open or a closed position.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14 there is provided in the housing II, beneath and slightly rearward of the pulley 2| a means for supporting and maintaining the cable I2 in close proximity with the strand I3 while the wire 80 is being wrapped therearound. 'I'his cable positioning means comprises a slidable member 13 having grooves 14 and 15 in the ends thereof which enis the rotatable member or roller 80 which is ary ranged to bear against the bottom portion of the cable I2 and force it upward toward the strand I3. In order to provide for various diameters of cable, adjustable means comprising notches 8|, 82 Aand 83 in the side rails and a pivoted member 84 located on the bottom ofsaid slidable member 13 and having end portions 85 and 88 which register, with the notches in the rails 18 and 11, is provided. The pivoted member` 83 is locked in the desired position by means of the knurled knob 81.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 15 there is located in the handle 88, adjacent the spinning head I0, a latch 88. This latch is pivotally mounted in the handle and is arranged to engage a notch 90 located on the spinning head and flange 28 and is maintained either in engagement with the notch or out of engagement with it by means of the spring 8| which bears against a ball 82 which frictionally engages the notches 83 and 84. The purpose of this latch is to maintain the spinning head in a normal or upright position when it is being applied or removed from the cable and strand. l

In order to prevent the lashing wire 50 from unwinding or loosening from the cable I2 and strand I3 there has been provided a suitable tool 85 as shown in Fig. 12, for clamping the lashing wire to the strand.

This tool comprises a C-shaped head 88 having a portion thereof cut away to provide the two parallel members 81 and88. 'I'hese two members are hook-shaped at their free ends 88 and |00 and are provided with V-shaped notches IOI and |02. Slidingly mounted between the parallel members 81 and 88 and having a. V-shaped notch |03 in the bottom thereof is the member |04.

This member is pivotally secured to the threaded member |05 which is rotatably mounted in the upstanding portion or boss |08 of the C-shaped head 88. A handle |01 is rigidly secured to the threaded member |05, to impart a rotatable motion thereto. Therefore, it is readily apparent that the rotation of the handle |01 will cause the member |03 to either approach or recede from the notched portions 88 and |00. Therefore. when the strand I3 and the wire 50 are positioned in the notches |0I and |02 and the notched member |04 is forced downA into engagement therewith by means of the rotation of the handle |01, the strand I3 and the wire 50 will be securely held in the notches |0I, |02 and |03 against loosening and the lashing wire 50 may be cut at the machine without fear of it unwinding.

To install aerial cable using applicants improved machine and where the messenger or supporting strand is secured to spaced poles, cable 'rings which form a temporary support for the cable are secured to the strand in the usual manner but are spaced some distance apart, as shown in Figs. 6 and 'l of the said Bookout patent. The cable I3 is then pulled through and positioned in the rings. The number of rings needed to support the cable will depend upon the length of the span and the size and weight of the cable. After the cable I3 has been positioned in the rings the machine of this invention is hoisted up and placed over the strand I3 and the cable I2. However, before the machine can beplaced over the cable and strand the spinning head I0 must be locked in its upright position as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4. 6 and '1. In this posltion the slotted portion of the ring gears I1 and I8 will be at the bottom of the machine and will permit the easy passage of the strand and cable. After the spinning head I0y has been locked in its upright position the next step preparatory to placing the machine in position is to remove the cable supporting assembly 13 which is` slidably mounted in the bottom of the housing II as heretofore described. This assembly 13 is removed by loosening the knob 81 which permits the rotation of the pivoted member 84. This causes the ends 85 and 88 of this member to become disengaged from the notches in the rails 18 and 11 and permits the assembly 13 to be slid downward and out of the way.

The next step is to slide the bolt 88, located in the slotted tube 88 in the strand guide, at the front end of the machine, outward. This opens the guide to 'permit the entrance of the strand I3.

With the spinning head I0 locked in its upright position, the cable supporting assembly 13 out of the way, the cable guide open and the line I4 unfastened, the machine may now be placed in position on the strand I3, rst locating the strand I3 in the guide bracket 85 and positioning the machine so that the groove in the pulley 2| registers with the strand I3. After the machine has been positioned on the strand I3, the sliding bolt 88 is pushed inward to securely hold the strand Within the connes of the bracket 85. The cable supporting assembly 13 which is positioned between the guide rails 18 and 11 with the roller 80 bearing against the bottom of the cable I2 is pushed upward until the pivoted member 84 registers with the proper notcheson the sides of the rails 18 and 11 for that particular size of cable. After the cable supporting assembly 13 has been locked in position by means of the knob 81, the latch 88 is released and locked out of engagement with the spinning head I0, the line I4 is resecured and the lashing of the cable and strand may now proceed.

As the machine ls pulled along the strand by any suitable means as, for example, by pulling on rope I4, the spinning head I0 is caused to rotate and wrap the wire 50, stored in the magazine 4|, around the cable I2 and strand I3 by means of the mechanism heretofore explained. As the machine progresses along the strand I3 the wire 50 is lashed tightly around the cable I2 and strand I3 as shown in Fig. 1, and the temporary supporting rings, not shown, are removed, as. for example, by a lineman riding the strand. 'I'he machine thus proceeds along the strand until the next pole is reached whereupon the lashing wire 50 is fastened to the strand I3 by means of the tool shown in Fig. 12 to prevent the wire from unwrapping while it is being cut and fastened. The

machine may now be removed from the strand and placed on the other side of the pole after the spinning head has been locked in its upright position, the cable supporting assembly 'Il removed, the cable guide opened and the line Il unfastened as heretofore explained. The heretofore a described procedure is repeated on each span until the entire cable length has been secured to the strand.

As shown in Fig. 16, two cables |08 and |09 may be secured to a common messenger strand ||0 by the machine of this invention which lashes a wire therearound.

There is shown in Fig. 15 a modified form of braking mechanism in which the wire 50, stored in the magazine 4|, is brought out through the window ||2 over the member ||3 around the pulleys ||4 and ||5 and thence around the cable as heretofore described.

While there has been shown herein and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various.modiiica' tions and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for securing a cable to a messenger or supporting strand which comprises a housing having a spinning head located at one end thereof, said housing and spinninghead arranged to be' positioned about and advanced along the strand and cable, a. preformed coil of lashing material carried by said spinning head, a shaft journaled in said housing and having a pulley on one end thereof which frictionally engages the strand and means on the other end connected to said spinning head to cause the rotation thereof as it ad-` vances to cause the lashing material carried by said spinning head to be wrapped around the cable and strand and means on the front end of said housing for guiding said strandinto contact with said pulley.

2. A device for securing a cable to a messenger or supporting strand which comprises a housing having a spinning head rotatably mounted at one end thereof, said housing and spinning head having their bottom portions cut away to permit them to be positioned about the strand and cable, a preformed coil of lashing material carried by said spinning head, and a pulley journaled in said housing frictionally engaging said strand, said pulley having connected thereto asprocket wheel which in turn is operatively connected to a pinion gear, said pinion gear driving a ring gear which drives an idler pinion which in turn drives a ring gear secured tosaid spinning head to cause the rotation thereof as it advances to cause the lashing material carried by said spinning head to be wrapped around the cable and strand.

3. A device for securing a cable to a messenger or supporting strand which comprises a housing having a spinning head rotatably mountedat one end thereof. said housing and spinning head having their bottom portions cut away to permit them to be positioned about the strand and cable, a preformed coil of lashing material carried by said spinning head. and a pulley Journaled in said housing frictionally engaging said strand, said pulley having connected thereto a sprocket wheel which is operatively connected to a pinion gear. said pinion gear driving a slotted ring gear which drives an idler pinion which in turn drives a slotted ring gear secured to said spinning head to cause the rotation thereof as it advances to cause the lashing material carried by said spinning head to be wrapped around the cable and strand.

4. A"`rlevlce for securing a cable to a messenger or supporting strand which comprises a housing having a spinning head rotatably mounted at one end thereof, said housing and spinning head having their bottom portions cut away to permit them to be positioned about the strand and cable, a magazine on said spinning head, a preformed coil of lashing material carried by said spinning head in said magazine, a pulley journaled in said housing frictionally engaging said strand, said pulley operatively connected to a set of gears, one of which is secured to said spinning head to cause the rotation thereof as it advances to cause the lashing material carried by said spinning head to feed from said magazine and be wrapped around the cable and strand, a roller mounted in said housing below said pulley for supporting said cable and means on said housing for indexing said spinning head with respect to said housing so that the cut-out portions of each may be locked in alignment with each other.

5. A device for securing a cable to a messenger or supporting strand which comprises a housing having a spinning head rotatably mounted at one end thereof, saidfhousing and spinning head having their bottom portions cut away to permit them to be positioned about the strand and cable, a preformed coil of lashing material carried by said spinning head, a pulley journaled in said housing frictionallyy engaging said strand, said pulley operatively connected to a set of gears, one of which is secured to said spinning head to cause the rotation thereof as it advances to cause the lashing material carried by said spinning head to be wrapped around the cable and strand, means comprising a roller mounted in said housing below said pulley for supporting said cable and means on said roller assembly for positioning and Alocking said roller with respect to said cable.

EVEREII ST. J OHN.

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